Reviews

Bookstore owner Meryn O'Reilly and Army Captain Jesse Christensen are on opposite sides of a battle. After a series of terrorist attacks in 2053, martial law has been declared in Canada and the military has taken over. When a radical group calling themselves Christian claims responsibility, Jesse and his platoon are sent to Meryn's city to keep an eye on the Christians and ensure they are not stepping outside the confines of the law.

Fiery and quick-tempered, Meryn chafes under the curfew and other restrictions to her freedom. Jesse is equally amused, intrigued, and terrified by her spirit, knowing she could find herself in prison if she shows defiance to the wrong soldier, namely Lieutenant Thomas Gallagher.

Jesse watches out for Meryn when possible, although she wants nothing to do with him. His worst fears are realized when she commits a crime he cannot protect her from. Now they both face an uncertain future and the very real threat of losing everything, including their lives. With time running out, Jesse works feverishly to convince the authorities to show leniency to Meryn. And to convince her that love can overcome any barrier that lies between them.

Can you imagine what the end times will be like for Christians? This book opens the eyes of the reader as to how challenging those times will be. Meet Meryn, a Christian, whose values and beliefs run deep. Then there is Jesse, an army captain in the Canadian Army, who has to follow orders. October 10, 2053 is a day that is thought of like 9/11 in present day. There are bombings that occur that Christians are blamed for. Fate keeps putting them together, but is it fate or is it God? This book had me riveted on the edge of my seat as the story line unfolded. The characters are people that I could relate to. I would highly recommend this book. A definite 5 star rating.

*****Note: I couldn’t wait to read book two, which kept me up at night to finish it. I am now on book three!!!!

This one sinks its teeth into your soul and drags you along for the most nail-biting ride of your life. The first page throws you into the action and engaging dialogue. The story is exactly the kick in the pants we need today – what would we do if our freedom of religion was taken away? What horrors would we endure? What would it feel like if owning a Bible was a crime? I was really drawn to the realism and thought behind the plot and how each person feels in their circumstances. I cried, I laughed and I felt burning anger along with these dear characters. Meryn has hard decisions to make as a Christian business owner and the struggles that come with standing up for your faith. Jesse’s future looks shaky as a soldier following orders in a growing chaotic society. These two have chemistry and the author makes the romance sweet and heart wrenching! Twist and turns, Gritty dialogue and no sugar-coating the danger of religion being taken away from us is what sucked me into this story. Evil has a face and it is all around us. The danger Meryn faces and punishment she endures is so convicting to us as Christians. So many lessons to learn - I cannot recommend this enough!

A five star read, “The End Begins: The Seven Trilogy Book 1,” by Sara Davison, is a beautifully-crafted, suspenseful story of faith, obedience, and love. Meryn O’Reilly and Jesse Christensen are at the center of a complicated situation, fraught with danger and disbelief. Meryn, a Christian, is up against a shocking retaliation by her government, while Jesse is an enforcer for that same government. At the heart of the story is this reoccurring question: what will Meryn and Jesse choose?

One of the most notable qualities of this story is its fearfully possible nature. As opposed to historical fiction, “The End Begins” is more like foreboding fiction. In reality, sin runs rampant through our countries, wars come closer to the home front, and politicians make drastic decisions that change the faces of our lives. All of these things hold true in Davison’s story, which makes the writing come alive. Davison hits the nail on the head in describing temptations ranging from the alluring to the desperate. Her main characters have to navigate turbulent waters and decide which paths they will choose – or which path God has chosen for them. Davison does not hide the fact that some of the decisions they face are difficult. For example, Meryn has to decide whether or not to distribute items of an illegal nature – but these items are essential to the Christian faith, so what will she do? These scenarios are completely possible within the lifetimes of many of us – and for others, these situations are already occurring.

The climax of the story is not a one-pager. Rather, Davison captures the attention of the audience as the story reaches its pinnacle by writing multiple scenes that are vibrantly alive. The sounds, the sights, and the feelings of the characters pull the reader into the suspense. Like a skilled actor, the author evokes compassion, tension, hope, fear, and the harshness of reality – even to the point of drawing tears from the reader. It takes a gifted writer to create such a response, and Davison is certainly that.

Very appealing to a reader, and very good for a trilogy series like The Seven Trilogy, is the combination of a satisfying conclusion to the current story while leaving a question mark to be answered in a subsequent book. Many stories end somewhat abruptly, which can leave a slightly under-done taste. In this case, Davison answers many of the more pressing questions, not leaving her readers hanging too much, while gently continuing the story and leaving a larger, greater question unanswered. It is almost like she gives the story a ritardando and a breath mark.

While I take exception with a point or two in the plot, I find “The End Begins” to be an engaging, suspenseful, intelligent, well-crafted work of art, and I look forward to Book 2 of the trilogy. Thank you, Sara Davison, for sharing your talent.

I'm not sure why this book is called Seven Trilogy. It's confusing as to whether it is 7 books or 3 books. However, ...

If you are a Christian who loves romance/suspense novels, you'll love this novel. Although it is in the end times, it's a novel idea and not based deeply in the prophetic. It's a page-turner for sure and leaves one wanting to read the following books in the series. I feel happy to be able to worship and read my bible without the threat of persecution. Had a a hard time putting this book down. Read in two sittings and can't wait to read more books by this author, especially the sequels.

Thank you Beverly for your very kind review! I'm so glad you enjoyed The End Begins. This comes out in book 3, The Morning Star Rises, (releasing October 10, 2016), but I don't think I'm spoiling anything by telling you why the series is called The Seven Trilogy. It comes from the letters Jesus writes to the seven churches in Revelation. While they were seven actual, historic churches, scholars generally agree they also represent the church in the last days. "The Seven" refers to both the church, the body of believers continuing to meet together to worship God and encourage one another, and the seven lampstands, Christ-followers shining a light in a dark world through the good news of the gospel and their Christian witness. Thanks again for taking the time to read and review the novel!

Sara, I didn't know that was what your book was about! It sounds interesting. I don't know if you know this, but I wrote a book on the seven churches of Revelation called He Who Has an Ear, Who the Seven Churches of Revelation are Today. So now I just have to read your book!